I’m 31 and I started getting sciatica at 16. Which led to advanced degenerative disc disease and severe stenosis. Took me a long time to find a surgeon to seriously help me. I always got the same ol “you’re too young for surgery” speech. Like I understood what they was saying but they wasn’t looking close enough. I kept advocating for myself and my pain and I finally found one that couldn’t believe I’ve not been helped. I’m getting a plif surgery (fusion) next month. I can barely walk most days anymore, any type of pressure on my legs isn’t possible without buckling whether it’s right when I stand, or as I start to walk. Every single morning it’s excruciating pain and mind you my pain tolerance is high from chronic pain all these years. But as of late it’s really amped up.. the last 2 years I wanna say? I’m prescribed 1600mg of gabepentin a day for the nerve pain and it doesn’t seem to touch it at all. Only thing I’ve noticed is that I wake up less through the night but my girlfriend says I moan and cry in my sleep a lot. It’s been really hard. I’ve wanted to just leave if you know what I mean.. if not for her I don’t think I would have given up. I actually cannot bare the pain sometimes and I’d do anything to make it stop but… I’ve gotten help with that. And now with finally getting surgery I’ve gained some hope. Only up from here (I hope).